The Black Hills are located in western South Dakota and extend into eastern Wyoming. The mountainous area is covered with pine forests and includes six national parks. The trails, mountains and caves attract outdoor recreation lovers year-round. The Black Hills receive a lot of snow during the winter when the trails welcome cross-country skiers and other snow sports participants. Nordic skiing clubs in the area organize events that bring skiers together.
Identification
The annual snowfall in the Black Hills is as much as 150 inches, and the cross-country trails cover almost 6,000 miles up and down old railroad tracks and logging roads. The existence of these tracks and existing landmarks keep you on course as you head out into the backcountry to enjoy the thrill of cross-country skiing. Groups like the Black Hills Ski Club bring together skiers to enjoy these trails. They also manage and maintain some of the trails.
Trails
Cross-country trails stretch throughout the Black Hills. The Big Hill cross-country ski network includes 16 miles of marked and groomed trails beginning at Spearfish. A 25-mile group of trails known as the Eagle Cliff network is mostly unmarked and deep in powder. There are maps to keep you safe as you dig in for a more challenging workout. Centennial Trail is a 111-mile trail that stretches from north to south the length of the Black Hills, and the George S. Mickelson trail runs along the railroad tracks for 109 miles. The local Nordic ski clubs organize group outings to most of these trails.
Types
The Black Hills has ski clubs for adults and young people and a specialty club that serves handicapped skiers. The Black Hills Ski Club meets about once a month and serves primarily as a social networking club for outdoor recreation lovers. The Black Hills Regional Ski for Light organization is designed to give cross-country skiing access to the blind and visually impaired and other physically handicapped skiers. The club provides an annual ski weekend and brings in people from all over the country. The program also includes summer canoeing trips.
Youth Clubs
The area around the Black Hills features clubs that get young people involved in cross- country skiing. Eastern Wyoming hosts a number of cross-country teams that train and learn in the Black Hills. The Magnus Learn to Ski program is a youth-oriented training program in the Black Hills, and local ski teams and clubs serve youth and high school students.
Off Season
The Nordic ski clubs that serve skiers of the Black Hills don't slow down when the snow melts. The Black Hills Ski Club gets its members together all year long for events that keep everyone actively enjoying outdoor recreation. Golf, hiking, camping, mountain biking, orienteering and social gatherings help people with common interests support and strengthen each other.
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